Target stores face protests over pro-transgender bathroom policy

After announcing the store's inclusive bathroom policy that allows transgender men to use bathrooms according to their gender identification, Target faces overwhelming pressure to reconsider such, as the company deals with a boycott petition that amassed more than a million of pledges, a dramatic fall in stock prices, and just recently, protests from parents at several Target store branches.

According to 16 Wapt News, those who were upset about the controversial bathroom policy gathered on Saturday at a Target store in Jackson, Mississippi to protest. The news outlet talked to some of these protestors who think that Target's policy puts women at risk.

"A man could put on a dress and say, 'I identify as a transgender,' and they can go in there," Keith Daltol said. He also suggested that it would be good if the company experiences a fall in business if that's the only way for it to do the right thing.

"I'm not saying that a transgender would harm a child," another protester, Johnny Brekeen, shared, adding, "What I'm saying is if men are allowed to go into the restroom, children are going to be harmed."

ABC 4 Utah also reports similar protests at another Target store, this time in Layton, Utah. Carrie Peterson, a mother of four, is gathering around signatures to pressure the giant retail store to back down from its bathroom policy. She also worried that there are about 209 registered sex offenders within a five mile radius of Target store.

"With Target's new policy, it's unverifiable. You cannot verify a person's intent, so these sexual predators will use these policies to gain access into the women's restroom, making it a dangerous place for women and children," she told ABC 4 Utah.

On April 19, Target officially announced its inclusive bathroom policy. "Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you'll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target," the company said in a statement.